From The Block To The VMAs!
While many know her from he on-again, off-again acting roles, Jennifer Lopez’s music career still remains the foundation of her continued success. It recently skyrocketed thanks to a powerhouse performance at the VMAs, where she performed some of her golden oldies while also blasting out tracks from her latest album. With J-Lo fever once again running rampant, we’re going to count down what we believe to be her top five songs!
#5: “Jenny from the Block†feat. Jadakiss and Styles
This is Me…Then (2002)
The lead single from J-Lo’s third album addressed her humble roots, while highlighting her blossoming romance with then-boyfriend Ben Affleck. Just as the old school sampling had fans poppin’ and lockin,’ the singer’s increasing fame had paparazzi snapping away with every opportunity. Lyrically, Jennifer Lopez confronted the haters of her pop culture persona, while the music video collaboration once again with Francis Lawrence showcased her most famous asset. Although “Bennifer†didn’t survive, “Jenny from the Block†will always remain a classic J-Lo jam.
#4: “On the Floor†feat. Pitbull
Love? (2011)
This international hit become one of YouTube’s most watched videos and re-established Jennifer Lopez as one of the world’s most iconic pop stars. The electronic style and repetitive lyrics made “On the Floor†an instant nightclub smash with the international sensation known as Pitbull dropping the rhymes. Lopez released the song around the same time as her debut as a judge on “American Idolâ€, boosting her fan base and creating even more success for the already established star.
#3: “I’m Real (Murder Remix)†feat. Ja Rule
J to tha L–O! The Remixes (2001)
This J-Lo hit not only marked a change in sound from pop to hip hop, but it demonstrated how the Bronx native works with others. Even though Ja Rule provided support on the remix and music video, the true message of “I’m Real†was that no man would make or break J-Lo. Though the slow-tempo beat and lyrics of Ja Rule brought more attention to Lopez in the hip-hop world, the pop world hadn’t seen the end of J-Lo.
#2: “If You Had My Loveâ€
On the 6 (1999)
Both the Internet and the name Jennifer Lopez were relatively new concepts for mainstream America in the late 90s, so J-Lo capitalized on these concepts with an innovative music video. The lyrics convey a woman unwilling to play any games, while the mid-tempo beat offers all listeners a chance to get down. “If You Had My Love†somehow managed to knock off Ricky Martin’s “Living La Vida Loca†from the charts, and propelled Jenny from the Block as the new Queen of Pop. Put this track in a time capsule.
#1: “Waiting for Tonightâ€
On the 6 (1999)
As America transitioned into the new millennium, this sensual dance track announced Jennifer Lopez as the next pop superstar and a fashion icon. With contagious lyrics and a steamy tropical video directed by Francis Lawrence, J-Lo effectively bottled the energy of her film “Selena†and re-introduced herself to the world as a legitimate recording artist. While many were contemplating a Y2K disaster, Lopez transformed fear to excitement with this Billboard hit and ushered in a new musical era.
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Best Jennifer Lopez Movie Performances.
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